18 Dec 2012 10:22

Uzbekistan remains Russia's ally despite quitting CSTO - Lavrov

TASHKENT. Dec 18 (Interfax) - Russia regrets Uzbekistan's decision to pull out of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), but confirms that the two countries will remain allies.

"It is Uzbekistan's sovereign choice. We regret it, but the decision has been made," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists in Tashkent on Tuesday.

"However, Uzbekistan, remains our ally, our strategic partner," he said.